To the LAKE in Gainesville!

Wendy treads the path to the lake.

Another horrible day at the lake.

A little tubing on Lanier.

and the obligatory rescue tow from Pokey.

Grandpa SCORES early birthday booty.

Wendy has to go back to school on Monday, Aug. 1, while the kids return on the 8th. So she wanted one last dip and to visit her parents before getting back to the grind. Ed & Linda have been busy hosts as of late but made room. We repaid them by making sure that Speedy (aka Fast Boat) got stranded out in the channel after Keely and Deacon had a fun tube ride. We're guessing it is water in the gas tank. That's what we're hoping too.

Grandpa Ed's birthday (74th we think) is Tuesday. That gave us another good reason for a visit and some gifts. Grandpa likes presents.

After a couple of days it was time to get back to Atlanta. Need to get our house in order and let Wendy get all her ducks in a row before Monday. But there was one little side trip I thought we should take...

Spot, thanks to the mark on his head, has his 1st car ride.

Nobody seems to be having any fun.

Wendy & kids have been working on me for weeks, maybe months, to get a dog/cat/manatee/something. I held out as long as I could (love the freedom of petless life) but felt this would be a good send-off for Wendy's last weekend. As we left town, I swung by the Gainesville Humane Society where we found a plethora of petable pooches. Dooley was very cute but his excitement turned Keely into a quivering mass. Bo got my vote and Keely's approval but Deacon wanted a more energetic type. Uncle Jesse (currently renamed Spot) seemed to be the best of both worlds. He's almost 6 months old and has been practically raised at the shelter. Due to his gene pool, he is somehow mild-mannered, perky, and seemingly loving. Time will tell how good the decision was. For now, he's trying to get used to 4 smelly people and a world that isn't surrounded by chain link or concrete. We'll keep you posted.